There are certain elements that make up who we are that might make it harder to build the body we want. Some men avoid weightlifting and eating for mass because they believe their bodies aren’t able to build muscle; but this is very rarely the case. Below is MaxiNutrition’s guide to body types to help you get to clearer idea of what it means to own a certain type of body.

A Combination Of Body Types

It’s important to remember that these body types aren’t finite and most people will have a combination of two of the body types. For example, a person is classed as an ectomorph if ectomorph traits dominates over mesomorph in their body build.

Ectomorph

It is too simplistic to say that an ectomorph is a ‘typical skinny guy’, as an ectomorph with high body fat is still an ectomorph – just an overweight one. However, they typically have a light build with small joints and long limbs. A thin face with high forehead and receding chin coupled with narrow shoulders and chest are classic signifiers.

Features:

Thin, with a ‘delicate’ frame and bone structure

Find it hard to gain weight

Naturally flat chested

Faster than average metabolism at rest

Lean Muscle Mass

If You’re An Ectomorph:

You may find it hard to make gains when trying to put on size. Your fast metabolism burns up calories very quickly, so having enough excess calories in your diet to create new muscle is going to be tough – tough, but still achievable. You should keep your workouts short, intense and focused on the large muscle groups in the legs, back and chest. Ectomorphs may find it best to eat before bed to prevent muscle catabolism as they sleep. Generally, ectomorphs have an advantage when wanting to look leaner as they can lose fat more easily.

Mesomorph

A mesomorph is a natural bodybuilder. They couple a large bone structure with big muscles in a naturally athletic physique. Because of their physical characteristics, mesomorphs are naturally strong and they also find it quite easy to manipulate their weight.

Features:

Athletic build

Generally a ‘hard’ body, with well-defined muscles

Rectangular shaped body with broad shoulders

Adds muscle easily

Can gain body fat fairly easily than ectomorphs

If You’re A Mesomorph:

You’ll respond well to weight training and if you have these characteristics you will see gains very quickly, especially if it is your first time following a tougher routine. The downside to being a mesomorph is they gain fat quicker than ectomorphs, so a combination of weight training and cardio sessions can be productive.

Endomorph

This is the final body type classification and it describes people who are solid, but generally soft. Endomorphs tend to be short with thick arms and legs, while they have strong muscles – particularly quads and hamstrings.

Features:

Round body shape, with stocky build

Gains both muscle and fat very easily

Slow metabolism at rest and finds it hard to lose fat

Muscles not naturally defined

If You’re An Endomorph:

You will find that it is easy to build muscle, but hard to make lean gains. To keep fat levels to a minimum, you should ensure you get a high proportion of your calories from protein and supplement weight session with cardio. Endomorphs often find that they are naturally efficient at compound leg exercises like the squat.

Don’t Forget

Body type nutrition and training plans are a great way to guide your training and help you stick to a schedule. MaxiNutrition have beginners and intermediate training plans created by our experts that are tailored to your goal. Print these off or take them to the gym on your smart phone to follow and push you to your limits.

Stay well hydrated during your training sessions, preferably using water during shorter intensive sessions and an isotonic drink for sessions lasting over an hour (to replace lost electrolytes primarily salt, that have been sweated out).